lifepop4 batterys

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Guys,

I have a 9.9 volt lifepo4 battery for my R/C transmitter ,

can I use it to power a motor 12 volt low amp motor or a 6 volt one ?

as I do not want to use a lipo battery for safety in my plastic made model boats

Cheers Hutch

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

what can they be used for

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

**LINK**

Seems to be OK and definitely safer than LiPO batteries. The two things to watch for are the maximum charge rate and maximum discharge rate – both usually expressed as a multiple of the C rate. This is simply the "amps" part of the capacity e.g. a 3600mAH battery has a C rate of 3600mA. I would say that you'll be fine as lomg as you don't want to run a brushless inrunner at some iunearthly speed or fast charge the pack in ten minutes! Also make sure that your charger is designed to charge them.

Dave M

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi David

Thank you for your help. My paddle tug has two 6 volt brushed motors one for each paddle wheel {tank drive} with micro switches, and a servo to stop one paddle when turning

One other thing, can I use the small three pin plug {using two wires only} as used on servos or do I need something bigger, the wire from the battery is not a very heavy gauge.

cheers

Hutch

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Hutch

Without knowing what the current drawn by the motors is I can't say for sure, but I'd personally steer clear of servo connectors for anything except devices which plug directly into the receiver. For restricted space and/or light weight I'd go for something like 2mm gold bullet connectors **LINK**

…and it's Dave, please…or I'll think Mum's come back to shout at me!

Dave M

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

I would not consider using a nearly 10 volt battery to drive a 6 volt motor spinning a paddle. If it doesn't break the paddles or gears, it will probably cook the motor. Or the wire. It all depends on what the weakest link is, but applying excessive volts with the ability to deliver the current demanded will find it.

As a general rule, transmitter batteries are not intended to deliver heavy currents, I wouldn't drive anything heavier than a pair of lightly loaded servo motors or CD drive motors. If the paddle motors are anything more than 140 size, you are into the "grey" area.

[Gary Hill 1Participant @garyhill1]

Hi Hutch,

I've just checked my LiFe transmitter battery, it's rated as 1500 mah and 1C discharge. Which explains the fine discharge cables as you can only expect 1.5 amp discharge rate, I guess it depends on your motor and boat size.

Gary

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

I'm certain Dave was considering the 12 volt motor option mentioned in the first post, but another factor has crossed my mind. Both mine and my mates paddlers are very sensitive to ballast weight and positioning. In my 38 inch model this meant using NiMH battery and a little bit of sheet lead to get the weight as low as possible. A lead acid battery in my mates larger model raised the vertical centre of gravity more than desirable, but just manageable. The upshot of this is that it is usually best to have sufficient battery weight as low as possible, and that's why I chose NiMH of a decent ah rating to give a good run.

Chas

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I completely agree with Malcolm about using a 10v battery on a 6v motor i.e. don't.
As regards Gary's Tx battery, LiFe and LiFEPo4 are quite different chemistries. Check out the specifications of the latter on a website like Hobby King and you'll find maximum discharge rates much higher than 1C. Here's one at random **LINK**

Sorry about the typos these days, but Firefox has decided that underlining spelling errors is apparently no longer nessurserry.

Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 30/01/2019 12:46:14

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Guys

Thank you all for the info I am starting to understand a bit more about these life po4 ,s.

I looks like I should buy one of the batteries that Dave M recommend,but only a 6 volt one I was forgetting the motors are only 6 volt!

Thanks again, I do have a problem understanding the modern batteries.

cheers Hutch.

[Gary Hill 1Participant @garyhill1]

Hi, I checked the spec of my transmitter battery and according to the Hobbyking website it is a LiFePo4. I think the 1c rating is due to the construction and its intended use. I believe the LiFePo4 chemistry doesn't support high discharge rates, the high C ratings are achieved by constructing cells in parallel. I use a lot of LiPo batteries for rc flying and don't feel they are inherently unsafe. I have a number of foam aircraft and these all fly with LiPo batteries. I always balance charge them at 1C and use a discharge rate well within the maximum.

Gary

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Gary,

Thank you for that , Its the charging /discharging that I am having trouble with.

I have a B6AC pro Professional Balance Charger/Discharger that I can not understand its just too much for me to work out My local hobby shop showed me how to use it but it just went over my head and they charged me $10.00!

I do have the manual for it but its has far to much info all I need is a very simple "how to use it "no body I know can help me. maybe its our ages as no one is under 75!!

Cheers,

Hutch.

[hutchParticipant @hutch73959]

Hi Gary,

Thank you for that , Its the charging /discharging that I am having trouble with.

I have a B6AC pro Professional Balance Charger/Discharger that I can not understand its just too much for me to work out My local hobby shop showed me how to use it but it just went over my head and they charged me $10.00!

I do have the manual for it but its has far to much info all I need is a very simple "how to use it "no body I know can help me. maybe its our ages as no one is under 75!!

Cheers,

Hutch.

[Gary Hill 1Participant @garyhill1]

Hi Hutch,

I too sruggled to charge my battery when it arrived, I have an old sigma 2 that I use and although it lists LiFe I couldn't find it as an option scrolling through the menus. I had to go into the setup menu and change the lithium voltage range and then the main menu listed LiFe. It changes the nominal voltage from 3.7 for LiPo to 3,3 for LiFe, and then the charger recognises it has LiFe.

Gary

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

If you Google "B6AC pro professional balance Charger/Discharger" you'll find a number of informative videos on You Tube. They are totally free of charge and you can always go back to them for reference. I use an X200 Touch Screen charger but it's sadly no longer available.

DM

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Dave, I bought a Sigma EQ Touch II by Ripmax, a few months ago, it is touch screen and will charge all types of batteries with a charge rate of .1 to 10 amps, so far so good with it.

Eddie.

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